Into Our
CIRCLE
Spirit resides in the center...
“None of us can travel further by ourselves.
Alone, our hearts become stony and guarded.
Alone, we become frightened.
But in gatherings of neighbors, sitting with a candle in the middle and an attitude of openness to the possibilities,
we may become students of the circle.”
(Calling the Circle, page 204)
Spirit resides in the center, uniting and balancing our energies.
As we hold the rim, a container is created.
The center is the symbolic representation of intention.
The circle as the literal shape in which the Grandmothers gather is inspired by the methodology articulated by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea in 1992. It is favored for its democratic structure that allows everyone to contribute to the group. This is where women find empowerment, develop tight-knit bonds with each other, and connect to their voice and passion that can create a ripple effect for change well beyond the physical circle.
The circle represents the circle of life. Despite what its name may suggest, the Council of Grandmothers encourages women of all ages to participate. By involving maidens, mothers and elders, the circle is complete, and the mission to heal the world becomes a legacy that has no end.
You can read more about the Circling process at The Circle Way.
The Circle Way guidelines are the fundamental principles we use to guide our large and small circles. We encourage you to review these before each time in circle together.
“Circle is a social structure that has helped people come together in collaborative dialogue and
action since the beginning of time. Our ancestors came to the campfire to cook, to keep themselves warm and safe, to tell stories, and to establish rules of behavior and governance that supported community development. These are the same reasons people come to the circle today: to be social, to discover safe methods of dialogue, to share stories, build community, and hold meetings in a collaborative manner. Circle enables us to discover our collective wisdom. It helps us discover who we really are to each other as well as the resources we can offer to our conversations and tasks.”
– The Circle Way Pocket Guide by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea